The following is an interview with author Caroline Thibeaux regarding the upcoming release of her novel, The Dragonglass Bowl: The Dreamwalker’s Path, through Rare Bird Books. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Thibeaux about the inspiration behind the story, her creative process, what she hopes that readers will take away from her work, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of your novel, The Dragonglass Bowl: The Dreamwalker’s Path, through Rare Bird Books! For those who may be unfamiliar, how would you describe the book’s premise, and what inspired you to tell this story?
Caroline Thibeaux: Thank you. It’s been quite exciting. The premise of this epic fantasy is: What an apprentice scribe does in a dream changes his life, drawing him into the center of a fight against an ancient, malevolent power where he learns the price of becoming a hero.
The idea of dreams has always intrigued me, and different cultures have their own views of dreams. Not everyone knows what they want to be at a young age, but perhaps there is path to guide you. My protagonist has lots of role models but does not quite know where he fits in in the greater scheme of life. The Dreamwalker’s Path explores that.
BD: What can you share with us about your creative process in writing the book, and who or what have been some of your creative influences?
CT: Stories for me start with a feeling, an inspiration that stops me and then kind of takes off. It’s like having your own VR set in your head and watching a story unfold. It’s very organic. If I like the story, I start to flesh it out, building the world and characters until the premise/story world and tale takes shape. I have always loved reading about the past in historical novels. I think that is my influence. Mary Renault, Mary Stewart, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Robert Jordan, Guy Guvriel Kay, and Brandon Sanderson, the genius of world building are just a few authors that I love. These authors inspire me to want to do better all the time.
BD: What do you hope that readers will take away from your work?
CT: That they will be happily and safely carried to another world, and that, once there, they will come to love Ellaria, becomes close friends of her players, laugh, enjoy, be thrilled, and realize that a dream is just within reach, waiting for you.
BD: Do you hope to expand the universe of The Dragonglass Bowl into future novels or other entertainment mediums?
CT: I am a visual writer, so yes. It can easily be adapted to other mediums. And yes, as far as The Dragonglass Bowl is concerned, Bhryen still has a long way to go to become the hero he wants to be. Plus, we don’t know what kind of a hero he will turn out to be and what that would mean for Ellaria.
BD: Are there any upcoming projects on which you are currently working that you would like to share with our readers?
CT: I am always working on a story or two, plus Bhryen has more to learn as a Dreamwalker. So, yes, I have a couple of other storylines that I am playing with, different from this. Right now, my focus is on The Dreamwalker. The Dragonglass Bowl is set in an old world. The society is set as a warring state, so it is very much a man’s world, but I hope to show the other side of Ellaria in a following book.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about The Dragonglass Bowl: The Dreamwalker’s Path?
CT: My website, www.carolinejthibeaux.com, has more information on The Dragonglass Bowl.
They can also follow me on Twitter (@carolinejthib6) and on Facebook.
